Penguin Doctors Incompetent?

1) That's what many specialists are telling Fauxrumors as the new revelations concerning Sid Crosby's medical situation. Evidently Crosby, in addition to the concussion(s) suffered, also sustained a "neck injury". An interesting twist for sure, but before we get into the medical aspects of this we ave to ask:

1. When did this injury take place?



2. When was it detected?



3. Has it been known all along?



4. Is this why he hasn't been playing since early December?

2) This appears to be the second time (in our opinion) that the team medical staff (trainers and Doctors) have screwed up. The first time was NOT detecting Crosby's first apparent concussion that occurred in the 2011 Winter Classic when he and then-Caps forward David Steckel had a collision. It was clear to even casual fans that Crosby was not himself after that. You would have thought that he would have been thoroughly examined to be cleared to play after that. However he was allowed to play in the Penguins' subsequent game against the Lightning. Here Crosby suffered yet another concussion when he was hit by monster defenseman Victor Hedman into the boards head first. We believe from our discussions with concussion specialists this is where Crosby was let down by the team med staff. As we have mentioned here before, its the second and subsequent concussions that occurred BEFORE the earlier ones have resolved is what makes them so debilitating. If he was not allowed to play after the first hit he would have been more likely to have been able to recover and probably be playing today.

3) Now this new revelation has us asking about the competence of the Penguins medical staff. Regardless of when it occurred, how could a potentially life threatening injury to a neck be missed when the player has been examined by countless specialists? From the trainers, team DR. then a litany of neurologists, etc you would have to think someone would/could pick up such an injury? (As an aside IF they did find it and treat it, why are we only now hearing about it???) It doesn't appear to be the case though and we again have to question the competence of the Penguins medical staff and also wonder how long before this becomes public, or the Crosby family starts to ask these questions much like the Lindros camp did 20 years ago when the Flyers medical staffs' gaffes almost cost Eric his life? http://articles.latimes.com/1999/apr/03/sports/sp-23883

4) Our sources tell us that although the Crosby family is no where near where the Lindros' were when Eric and then- Flyers GM Bob Clark had their very public feud resulting in Lindros eventual trade to their division rival NY Rangers, things are not all roses and candy in Penguin-land. It was the Crosby camp that have pushed for non-penguin specialists to examine and clear him to play this past December miffing management. Although in public they have been supportive of their captain, privately things have been a bit "tense" lately with the Pens quietly questioning Sid's commitment to trying to actually returning this season. Its also complicated the Penguins cap issues. Should they put Crosby on LTR and save his 8.7 mil cap hit? Crosby has another season with that same cap hit remaining and we do not foresee a Lindros type power play occurring, but if things such as misdiagnosed neck injuries and concussions continue there could be long term repercussions for the relationship. Hopefully Sid's health issue will be resolved soon. The NHL needs him!

Good For You Tim Thomas!!!

1) Many have lambasted Boston Bruins super star net minder Tim Thomas following his decision to not go to The Obama White House visit by his team. It is customary for a championship team to visit the White House and give the current occupant a jersey with his name etc. However as Thomas correctly pointed out, these are NOT usual times, but a precarious time period where our very existence as a free, representative democratic republic is under attack from all sides and Thomas wanted to make a statement that he is decrying what is happening to the country he represents and loves.

2) To that we both agree and applaud Thomas' principled stand and throw out all the negative press that has been thrown his way by the far left wing media (including most sports writers.) We hope his statement places more light on what is happening in our great country and opens the eyes of more citizens that freedom isn't free and won't last if its taken for granted!! "Don't Tread on Me" Indeed!!!!

Week 16 Results

1) The busy week 16 day/night is complete For the day we went a disappointing 8-6 to bring the season total to 113-85, or a .571 winning percentage. On the bright side we got our Lock of the week correct to elevate that stat to 13-3. We will NOT be picking next week (as its Allstar Snooze Weekend) and no games will be played) So the next pick is February 4th when a dozen games will be played.
2) We hope to publish a few posts this up coming week. As the abbreviated pre Allstar week arrives we believe teams will start to look toward the trade deadline and deals will be coming fast and furious. We will pass along any trade discussion we are privy to. As always keep it here for all the latest

Week 16 Picks!

1) Yes, its week 16 of the NHL season. We hope it will turn out to be a sweet week for us to help erase the sour taste from last weeks picks. Today/night we have a very busy schedule with 14 games up for grabs. Not sure if it was it intentional, but lots of current/former rivalry type games this day. We hope to improve our record of 105-79 or a .571 winning percentage.

NY Rangers at Boston: Rangers (Original 6 matchup/top 2 in conference)

Philadelphia at New Jersey: Devils (Old Patrick Divison rivalry)

San Jose at Vancouver: Canucks (Conference Finals Preview)

Ottawa at Anaheim: Duck (2007 Finals replay)

Montreal at Toronto: Maple Leafs (Biggest NHL rivalry?)

Carolina at NY Islanders: Islanders

Columbus at Detroit: Red Wings (Lock of The Week)

Florida at Winnipeg: Jets

Buffalo at St. Louis: Blues

Chicago at Nashville: Predators

Tampa Bay at Phoenix: Coyotes

Dallas at Minnesota: Wild

Calgary at Edmonton: Oilers (Battle of Alberta)

Colorado at Los Angeles: Kings

Wanted Dead or Alive?

1) Well, its not quite life or death (even to the nutty Montreal media) but the evaporation of ANY contribution from well paid center Scott Gomez has many in the NHL asking how long can the Habs carry along this underachiever? Yes Scott has not played to much so far this season, but in the 15+ games he has participated in he has yet to 'dent the twine', and has a mere 5 assists. Not that Gomez has ever been much of a sniper which makes it all the more curious as to why the Habs ever traded for the Anchorage Alaska native in the first place. Originally the NY Rangers signed him as a UFA from New Jersey, who correctly saw that he was no more than a good 2nd line play making center not worthy of top forward money, let alone super star compensation. However Glen Sather bestowed the former Devil with a very lucrative 7 year 51 million contract that had a cap hit of 7.357. We at Fauxrumors saw it as a boondoggle from the start and were extremely surprised that Sather was able to deal away Gomez to the Canadiens. It wouldn't have mattered if the Rangers didn't get back anything for him, but in addition to unloading his bloated salary (allowing them to bid on/attain Marion Gaborik) they also got defensemen Ryan McDonagh, who at 22 has quietly become a top 4 defender for the Blue shirts this season, compounding the error by the Habs.

2) So what do they do now? "Gomer" has ANOTHER 2 YEARS AFTER THIS, sucking another 7+ million from the Canadiens cap space while providing marginal output. We believe that the Habs will either exercise their right to buy out the remaining 2 seasons at 2/3 of the remaining salary spread out over 4 seasons OR if/when there is another post new CBA grace period for buyouts he would be a prime candidate to be bought out without the Habs taking the long term cap hit. We predict right now that Gomez will NOT be with the Canadiens beyond this season AND another team will be happy to give him a 3+ million deal when he becomes a UFA again this summer! Yes, GM's are not the brightest bunch!

Week 15 Results

1) A rather disappointing afternoon/evening for week 15. We went 5-6 to bring the season total to 105-79 or a .571 winning percentage. The bright spot was we got our Lock of The Week correct to bring that season long total to 12-3, or .800! Look for Week 16's picks next Saturday when a whopping 14 games will be decided.

2) We're working on several posts for the up coming week including a rumour post concerning early possibilities of what may occur later next month as the trade deadline approaches.
As always, keep it here for all the latest!

Week 15 Picks

1) WE enter the NHL season's 2nd half this weekend and we hope to continue where we left off last weekend with our pretty decent showing in our weekly picks. Thus far we are 100-73 or a .578 winning percentage. Today/night there are contests on the schedule.

Chicago at Detroit: Black Hawks

Colorado at Dallas: Stars

New Jersey at Winnipeg: Jets

NY Rangers at Toronto: Rangers

Ottawa at Montreal: Habitants

Buffalo at NY Islanders: Islanders

Boston at Carolina: Bruins

San Jose at Columbus: Sharks (Lock of The Week)

Minnesota at St. Louis: Blues

Philadelphia at Nashville: Predators

Los Angeles at Calgary: Flame